Friday, December 9, 2011

A woman accused of making an untrue claim of a sexual assault in October at Spring Arbor University has been charged with a felony.Brittni Johnson, 22, of Jackson, a student at the school, was jailed about 7 p.m. Thursday and arraigned today on a charge of falsely reporting a felony.

She was given a personal recognizance bond, which means she gets out of jail without cost on the promise she appears in court when ordered.

Johnson reported a sexual assault at 10:48 p.m. Oct. 23.

She said she was on campus, staying in a room for the weekend when she heard a knock at the door and found a man standing there, said Michigan State Police 1st Lt. Michael Krumm, commander of the Jackson post. She told police he forced his way into the room and raped her, Krumm said.

Johnson had previously made false reports and investigators were able to disprove her allegations.

Police confirmed the man she identified as her assailant was out of town for the weekend celebrating a wedding anniversary, Krumm said.

The reported assault inspired the university to increase security at its residence halls, a move administrators had discussed for several years.

Doors at the residence halls, once open from 7 a.m. to midnight, now are locked at all times.

Kim Hayworth, vice president for student development and learning, said Johnson still is enrolled at the school. She would not comment further on the student or her status.

An immediate attempt to reach Johnson this afternoon was not successful.